Fixing device, image forming apparatus and holding member forming method

A fixing device comprising:

• a rotatable endless fixing member;
• a heat source configured to heat the fixing member;
• a pressing member configured to form a pressing area between the fixing member and the pressing member, a sheet passed through the pressing area;
• and
• a holding member configured to come into contact with an inner circumferential face of the fixing member at the pressing area and to hold the fixing member to the pressing member,
• wherein the holding member includes:
• a base plate including a main body and a projection, the main body having one face facing the inner circumferential face of the fixing member and the other face opposite to the one face and the projection being formed on the other face;
• and
• a sliding sheet having a through hole into which the projection is fitted, the sliding sheet wrapped around the main body with the projection fitted into the through hole to be attached to the base plate, the sliding sheet configured to slide with respect to the inner circumferential face of the fixing member,
• wherein the sliding sheet is formed by weaving fibers together and is subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature higher than a maximum temperature where a temperature of the fixing member reaches when the fixing member is heated by the heat source, the sliding sheet being heat-shrunk around an outer circumference of the main body by the heat treatment and not being heat-shrunk during a fixing operation where the fixing member is heated to a fixing allowable temperature where a toner image is fixed on the sheet.